Beauties, originally uploaded by Jason Archer.

Another first day of school picture with my beautiful ladies. Grace in 8th grade. Micki in her ninth year teaching, this year first grade. I’m so proud of both of these girls and looking forward to a great year.  |  Flickr Photoset

Marquee, originally uploaded by Jason Archer.

Late in August was an event a few years in the making: My Dad’s wedding. They decided to live my dream: An Elvis Vegas wedding. Dad and Phyllis were married in an Elvis chapel. We took a few extra days to spend with them as well as discover Las Vegas. We took a tour of the city, saw some amazing hotels, got some great time chilling at the pool, and finished the week off with a big-time treat: The Beatles Love.

It was awesome to share time together in Vegas. I’m not sure I’d ever go back there, but was grateful to be there to celebrate as well as make some great memories with my family.  |  Flickr Photoset

Post Race, originally uploaded by Jason Archer.

Our family united to train and finish the “Free to Run” 5k. It was an event put on by the SAFMC youth group in partnership with Not For Sale to raise money and awareness of human trafficking.

It was a great accomplishment for all of us, but especially Grace and Micki, who hadn’t run a race this long before. It was even better to help Grace to gain confidence in herself to see she could meet a goal like running a 5k. I don’t know what times we had because they weren’t as important. The most important thing was that we finished.  |  Flickr Photoset

Grad Card

Originally uploaded by Jason Archer

She did it. And I’m so proud. Micki now has her Master’s Degree. She finished this weekend and walked toward glory on the stage. We are so excited. She has been working so hard for so long on her coursework, and it finally paid off. Her research thesis and presentation is still being finalized, but the celebration has begun.

As per Mick’s request, we didn’t do much. Grace, John, Lissa, and Uncle Duane joined me in the press box of the SAU Fieldhouse (thanks Duane Skene), and watched the ceremony from the “luxury box”. After a brief photo shoot, we headed out to Lansing to Smokey Bones, the bookstore, and some light shopping. We’re going to have a party during Christmas break when the thesis is all done and we have more time and capacity. It’s been a long road and fall, but it’s worth it.

To see Micki in a classroom is to define what calling is. She’s a natural. She was created for this. The Ph.D. is off the grid for awhile. Now is the time to celebrate!

Graduation Photoset

Micki at the Beach

Originally uploaded by Jason Archer

Last week was probably one of the best weeks of my life. Let me explain.

• First, it was the first time since our honeymoon that Micki and I were together alone for one week with no agenda other than being together.
• Second, it was synergy to have both of us wanting the same thing: nothing.
• Third, it was a perfect time to rest, connect with my best friend and partner, and hook up with God. Lastly, there was no schedule, agenda, or expectations.

Since our anniversary is October 22, we can’t take a week off at our actual anniversary. We decided to take a week during the summer to take advantage of Micki’s summer schedule and Grace being at camp. This was the big celebration. And it was. I had been waiting for this week for about three years. Three years ago, we went camping for a couple of days and worked. Last summer we did the “staycation” and remodeled our house. Bad idea jeans, man.  Bad ideas.

We work hard at the Archer house. Maybe too much, it’s been said. That’s how we roll. We make no bones about it. We’re talented. Motivated. Ambitious. All because of God. And a little hard work. So this week was needed. We were tired.

Our daily schedule was pretty much the same every day. Up around 9ish. Breakfast in our kitchenette. At the beach at 10. A few walks on the beach. Little dips in the ocean. Back in for lunch at the condo/unit at 12ish. Back out to the beach until around 4ish. More walks. More dips. Then back in for shower and clean up. Out for dinner and maybe some shopping.   Top up for Micki’s hair to look magnificent on the way.  Down on the way home.  Home around 9/10. Maybe a movie. Watch TV. Play games. Chill. Blog. No e-mail. No work. No school. Just Micki and Jason. Some books. A beach. Some sun. No time. No distractions.

I truly can’t remember living like that for that long. And let me tell you, it was amazing. It was refreshing. Needed. Addictive. Heavenly. I wish I was still there.

There are a few reasons for this feeling. First, I was free from the rat race. Free from expectations placed on me by everyone. Free to pursue my first and second loves: Jesus and Micki. I was free. Second, it was confirmation of what an incredible love I’ve found in Micki. What an amazing woman she is. How beautiful she is. How deep, strong, loving, and passionate she is. It gave me opportunity to focus in on how truly blessed I am to know this woman for over fifteen years. We really are a great match. We truly like each other. Truly love each other. Truly like being together. It was so cool because when you’ve been married this long, it’s nice to reaffirm that you both still really like being together. How easy it is just to exist. It’s not work.

Even cooler is the fact that we still are passionately pursuing God and sharing in the journey makes the whole deal sweeter.  That we recognize that 15 years together comes with a price tag.  And that Jesus has been the glue.  Without Him, we’re not putting #30 sunscreen on and sweating in the shade.  We’re nowhere and nothing.  To both be on the same page of this reality is even more amazing.

Now don’t get me wrong, I missed Grace. I missed our friends. Our lives. But I think I did a pretty good job of unplugging. This picture is probably one of my favorites because of what it represents. A beautiful view. Creation, my wife, and serenity.

It’s funny. When people ask us how our vacation went, it’s hard to put into words. People ask what we did. And truthfully, we didn’t do much of anything.

What I’ll miss as I think about our time are walks on the beach, drives in our convertible at night, unhurried conversations, lack of distractions, laughter, time slowing down, simplicity, and the joy of doing one thing: Hanging out with Micki. I’m already anticipating doing this every year. I’m mandating it. I need it. We need it. And until that time, I’ll be thinking about this moment. I’ll be waiting for another walk on the beach with my girl.  |  Vero Beach Vacay Photoset in Flickr